Walking Virtually, Land’s End to John O’Groats
The Conqueror Virtual Challenges: LEJOG Virtual Fitness Challenge . Length of UK, 1744.2 km.
Scroll down to start. Entries read from bottom up. Unspecified location = walking around the pasture.
May 28, 2021. Virutally, John O’Groats. Team Total 1744.2, 100%. [Trip Post, pending]
May 26, 2021. IRL 2.18 km, logged as 2.1 km. Chelsea Rec. Team total 1733.5 km, 99.4%.
May 25, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, urban sprawl – Highland Style. Team total 1728.1 km, 99.1%.
May 24, 2021. IRL 1.31 km, logged as 1.3 km. Columbiana Sports Fields. Virtually, High Council UK. Per official website, “Our commitment is to give equal respect for Gaelic and English on the basis that Gaelic is an essential part of Highland life. While we do not have a fully bilingual website, we will be increasing the Gaelic language content over time. ” Highland Council: Gaelic. “Highland (Scottish Gaelic: A’ Ghàidhealtachd … ) is a council area in the Scottish Highlands and is the largest local government area in the United Kingdom.” Wiki: Highland (council area). Team total 1726.4 km, 99.0%.
May 23, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, hayfield behind us. Team total 1712.3 km, 98.2%.
May 22, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, Wick, per map. Program has us in ‘Scotland, United Kingdom.’ Team total 1708.1 km, 97.9%.
May 21, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, south of Thurmster, per map . “Testifying to an unbroken record of occupation from Mesolithic times to the present day.” Venture North: Thurmster. Scotland’s version of Big Sky Country? Team total 1700.9 km, 97.5%.
May 20, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, North Sea coast, between the Burn of East Clyth and the Burn of Warehouse. Team total 1694.4 km, 97.1%.
May 17, 2021. IRL 1 km. 1 lap with Milton, 1 solo. May go back to entering each walk. Near end & land getting more scenic. Team total 1681.3 km, 96.4%.
May 16, 2021. IRL 3.7 km for the weekend.
Saturday, 2 km. 3 laps+, solo. Testing GPS. Left on for chores.
Sunday, 1.7 km. 3 laps, solo.
Virtual Dunbeath. Team total 1675.2 km, 96.0%.
May 14, 2021. IRL 4.01 km for the week.
Monday, 1.79 km. SSF. [Wednesdays]
Friday, 2.22 km. Chelsea Park.
Logged as 4 km.
A week of daily energy sucks, e.g. dentist, interview. GSP worked in pocket at CP when app was on & fronted. Need to investigate what happens when app is backgrounded, in field where I know mileage.
Virtual. Shore of the North Sea. Team total 1632.7 km, 93.6%
May 6, 2021. IRL 7.04 km for the week.
Monday, 1.7 km, 3 laps solo.
Tuesday, 0 km. Rain & thunder. So much rain.
Wednesday, 1.94 km. Chelsea Park.
Thursday, 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton.
Friday, 1.7 km, 3 laps with Milton.
Logged as 7 km.
Virtually, bridge over Dornoch Firth. Reverse screenshot for scenic. Team total 1602.3 km, 91.9%.
April 29, 2021. IRL 4.4. Tues, 1 mile at Limestone, GSP wonky estimated from time (1.7km) + 3 laps of pasture (1.7 km) = 3.4 km. Thursday 2 laps (1 km). Team total 151.9 km, 89.0%.
April 26, 2021. IRL 5.7. Trying to reestablish daily walks. Fri, 2 laps of pasture -> 1 km. Sat, 5 laps of Oak Meadow -> 1.25 miles -> 2 km. Sun, 2 laps of pasture -> 1 km. Mon, 3 laps of pasture -> 1.7 km. Team total 1539.5 km, 88.3%.
April 22, 2021. IRL 3.14 km. Coker Park, GSP wonky, estimate from two of loop advertised as .5 mile -> 1.7 km plus 3 laps with Milton -> 1.7 km. Virtually, Loch Ness. Team total 1517.6, 87.0%. [Many Little Walks]
April 21, 2021. IRL .56 km. 1 lap solo. Logged as 0.5 km . Beautiful, brisk day but am tired from dental assault on system yesterday. Virtually, Loch Ness. Team total 1514.2, 86.8%.
April 19, 2021. IRL 2.33 km. 3 laps with Milton, 1 solo. Logged as 2.3 km. Virtually, Loch Ness. Team total 1506.2, 86.4%.
April 15, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton. Logged on 4/16 (screenshot moved on 4.5 km). Virtually, Cairngorms National Park. Team total 1454.0, 83.4%.
April 13, 2021. IRL 1.74, logged as 1.7. Proof-of-concept walk at Cahaba Riverchase Greenway Trailhead. Virtually, outside of Dalwhinnie Distillery. “Dalwhinnie, Scotland has a population of 80. That’s not a typo. It is home to a small schoolhouse, a pub, an inn, a train station, and the Dalwhinnie Distillery. What else do you need, really? The distillery is famous for being the “highest” distillery in Scotland.” Flaviar: Dalwhinnie. Team total 1441.3 km, 82.6%.
April 8, 2021. IRL 4.11, logged as 4.1 on 4/9 (screenshot 2.5 km off). Limestone Park, 2.41 km, three laps with Milton, 1.7. Team total 1414.6 km, 81.1%.
April 1, 2021. IRL 3.14, logged as 3.1. Chelsea Rec Park. Team total 1344.1 km. 77.1%. [Post]
March 30, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton. Logged on 3/31. Virtually, Bridge of Earn. “It took its name from an ancient bridge.” A Vision of Britain through Time: Bridge of Earn Perthshire. Team total 1339.3 km, 76.8%.
March 29, 2021. IRL 1.8 km. Columbiana. Virtually, Scotland. Team total 1310.9 km, 75.2%.
March 26, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton. Virtually, North Queensferry. Team total 1298.4 km, 74.4%.
March 24, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton. Virtually, East Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. Reverse view, since we are looking at something other than greenery. Team total 1281.1km, 73.4%.
March 23, 2021. IRL .82+.32 = 1.14, logged as 1.1. Moss Rock Preserve, exploratory walks.
Virtually, in front of Cringletie Estate. “Note: To honor the history of the House and its inhabitants, the current tartan in the hall and staircase is a mixture of the Murray and the Sutherland tartans. Created by McKay of Durham the check is taken from the Murray tartan, the red line made a little softer and the blues and greens are derived from the Sutherland tartan.” Cringletie> About Us > History I thought tartans were an historic thing, not something one would mess with. “Each tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.” Scotland Shop: Variation Finder. Short version, natural vs modern chemical dyes, muted for camo, white elements for fancy dress. Fascinating. Team Total 1247.5 km, 72.15%.
March 18, 2021. IRL 2.08 km, Columbiana sports field track. Combined mileage for 3 walks, 6.22 km. Logged as 6.2 km. Team total 1224.6 km, 70.2%.
March 17, 2021. IRL 3.14 km, Columbiana sports field track. Same place as 2/19, below. Logged with 3/18. [Not Quite Pi Post]
March 12, 2021. IRL 2 laps/1 km. With Milton. Short proof-of-concept walk after an easy week to rest my hip. Logged with 3/18
March 9, 2021. IRL 6 laps/3.4 km. 3 by myself, 3 with Milton. Team total 189.9 km, 68.2%.
March 8, 2021. IRL 3 laps/1.7 km. Team total 1181.2 km, 67.7%.
March 5, 2021. IRL 2 laps, logged as 1 km. Tired. Virtually, slightly different Scottish greenery. There are buildings in the area, including Thorniewhats Farm, a B&B with equestrian facilities. Now that’s a combination I can get behind. Team total 1155.3 km, 66.3%.
March 4, 2021. IRL 5 laps, logged as 2.9 km. Three laps with Milton. Ran out of steam after 2 more. Team total 1155.3 km, 66.3%.
March 3, 2021. IRL 5.2 km. Kymulga Grist Mill. [Post]
Virtually, almost to Scotland. Team Total 1148.5, 65.8%.
March 1, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. Three laps. Team total 1114.6 km, 63.9%.
February 26, 2021. IRL .83 km, logged as .8. Leftover from Ox 8 [Post]. Team total 1102.4 km, 63.2%
February 25, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. Three laps. Team total 1099.1 km, 63.0%
February 24, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. Three intermittent laps, if intermittent is what I mean. Laps interspersed with chores & typing. Team total, 1097.4 km, 62.9%.
February 23, 2021. IRL 3.4 km. Six intermittent laps, 3 of them with Milton. Rodney on booties detail & got day off. Virtually, Armathwaite. I wonder if Google gives me Trip Advisor b/c it assumes I want tourist info. I had go thru Wiki to get to the community site. Team total 1088.3 km, 62.4%
February 22, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. Three laps, one at a time as a reward for chores. Virtually, back in the highway. Streetview from camera headed the other way. Team total 1065.4 km, 61.1%
Interim. This has become a time sink. The blog is the sole time sink I allow myself. Therefore, am dialing back the self-imposed rules on the frequency of photos and screenshots. Armchair tourism fell by the wayside a while ago.
February 19, 2021. IRL 1.77 km, logged as 1.7 km. Three times around a .6 km walking track surrounding a sports field. Test of concept for a later 5K [post]. Wanted to avoid muddy pasture. Hip joint pain appears to be a lateral stability issue. Prefers concrete over sliding in mud. Hurts worse after 3 laps of the pasture yesterday than it did after 5K on concrete Wednesday [Ox 7]. Knees are the part that object to concrete. Packed gravel appears to be the optimal surface for keeping bodily grumbling to a minimum.
Virtually, wandering northward. Team total 1038.1, 59.5%
February 18, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Not cold-cold, still coldish. Gray & damp. Muddy. Another day, another lap.
Virtually, no stone walls in photos. There’s one behind us to the left. Still rich in fields and wide open spaces. Not making me want to drive this, much less bike or walk it. Bucolic only goes so far.
Interim. Endless fields surrounded by endless stone walls hasn’t been much more riveting than endless highway surrounded by endless shrubbery. Maybe 1000 miles of anything gets dull. The interesting bits go by quickly amid many, many miles of middle of nowhere.
February 16, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Cold. [Snow Day]
Virtually, somewhere with lots and lots of rocks for walls. Team total 1000.1 km, 57.3%.
February 11, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Rain. Virtually, Aysgarth, within Yorkshire Dales National Park & home to Aysgarth Falls, “a series of three main waterfalls … Rather than being dramatic drops over a cliff, these waterfalls were really more like cascades that might be friendly for photography enthusiasts.” World of Waterfalls: Aysgarth Falls. Looks like there’s a house for sale. Wonder what it would be like to live there. Very red, or the UK equivalent, I expect. Team total 985.4 km, 56.5%.
February 10, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Virtually, Thorably. Stony country roads, reverse view for scenic, interim shrubbery from previous attempt to load mileage. Team total 983.7 km, 56.4%.
February 9, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps. Rodney in booties, so only did 2 laps for proof of concept. Milton ate hay, no screaming. Warm. We will pay for it meteorologically later in the week, but nice now.
Virutally, somewhere green and sheepey. Team total 973.3 km, 55.8%.
February 8, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Horses shod; no walks.
Virtually, somewhere green, stone walls, scenic hills. Team total 947.7 km, 54.3%.
February 6, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Rain.
Virtually, leaving a rotary. Team total 930.6 km, 53.4%.
February 4, 2021. IRL 1.16km, logged 1.1 km. Leftover mileage from Nashville Zoo virtual. [post pending]
Virtually, Bradford. Team total 910.3, 52.2%.
February 3, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Horses scheduled for other activities today. I do get out in the daylight. Occasionally. (Did not look at sun thru screen. Shot from the hip. Metaphorically.)
Virtually, another entry in Intersections We Have Known. From above, looks like a nerve cell. Over the shoulder, aside from what’s being advertised on the trucks, the road scene looks American. Team total 903.7 km 51.8%.
February 2, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps, 3×3. Milton joined Rodney 2 of three laps. First two were clockwise. Milton sat out the last, counter-clockwise lap. Does direction make a difference? The more he walks, the more he stands around screaming, the less hay he gets, the more hay he leaves for Rodney. Rodney does not leave the hay pile to walk with Milton. Rodney doesn’t walk with Milton in any case, hay pile or no.
Virtually, somewhere north, on a N/S highway outside of the second beltway for Leeds. Team total 902 km, 51.7%.
February 1, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps, 3×3. Milton joined us for one lap. At least he’s pretty when he comes cantering up. Wait, did I walk 2 or 3? Lost count. Did an extra lap to be sure. Cold & windy is so much easier to take when it’s dry. Branches from the top of the hill, for a change.
Virtually, Huddersfield. “The history of human activity on the Castle Hill goes back over 4000 years. The site was developed as an iron age hill fort, surrounded by defensive ditches and ramparts. In the Middle Ages there was a castle on the hill, of which the well remains. The present tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897.” Kirlees: Castle Hill History. Welcome to Yorkshire. Team total 893, 51.2.
Interim, Jan 31. Finally, a place people might actually live. We have Aldi near us.
January 29, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps, 3×3.
Virtually, Sheffield. geograph: Footbridge over the Sheffield Parkway, A57. Team total 834 km, 47.8%.
January 26, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps, 3×3. Milton stood & ate hay for all 3 of Rodney’s laps. Yay. Sunset.
Virtually, Todwick. “Todwick is an ancient village in South Yorkshire in the United Kingdom.” Todwick Village website. View of the roundabout behind us. Team total 820.5 km, 47%.
January 25, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps. First 3 laps, Rodney in booties, Milton joined us for part of the first lap, then watched and screamed for the second two. Milton did 3 laps. I did 3 laps. Rain coming.
Virtually, Worksop. “Gateway to the Dukeries.” Visit Nottinghamshire: Worksop. Team Total 813 km, 46.6%.
January 24, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Mental stroll after bike ride this am. Had phone; busy pondering spelling puzzle. 4 words! Team Total 802.9 km, 46%.
January 21, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps.
Virtually, wilder scenic. Team total 784.2 km, 45%.
January 20, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. A weekend of bike riding and I revert to forgetting IRL walk pics. Virtually, somewhere scenic. Team total 780 km, 44.7%.
January 14, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Team total 735.2 km, 42.2%.
January 12, 2021. IRL 1.1 km. 2 laps, 1.16 km. Not counting 1.25 km earlier for Ox walk. What can I say, putting the different walks in their different bins is a source of amusement. Cold & damp again. Probably should pull the blankets and check that we still have horses underneath.
Virtually, Syston. Finally a web presence & something current. Covid aide-memoire, “Hands – Face – Space” Syston Town News: Latest Issue. Also today, a dual roundabout. Team total 728.5, 41.8%.
***
Why so little digital tourism?
1) Program doesn’t say where we are; map not helpful.
2) I know where we are. Internet search only turns up info on vacation rentals. Lots of vacation rentals.
3) Sights are super-famous. What could I possibly say about Stonehenge or Shakespeare?
The result is far fewer fascinating factoids than last time. [Virtual Route 66].
***
January 10, 2021. IRl, .5 km. 1 lap, therapeutic walk amid long weekend. Sun struggling to come out in AM. Sunshine for bike ride in PM.
Virtually, continuing our tour of scenic UK interchanges. Team total 669.3 km, 38.4%.
January 8, 2021. IRL 2.9 km. 3 laps with Milton, 2 laps by myself until I ran out of light. No longer raining. Still cold & damp.
Virtually, Budbrooke. Back on the highway. Passed another interesting interchange configuration. Team total 659.8 km, 37.8%
January 7, 2021. IRL 2.4 km. 3 laps for me, 1+ laps for Milton until rain started. Rodney had foot in bucket for the second day. Cold & rainy.
Virtually, Warwick Road. Team total 654.4, 37.5%.
January 6, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps.
Virtually, Stratford-upon-Avon. Passed Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Team total 650.6 km. 37.3%.
January 5, 2021. IRL 2.3 km. 4 laps tracked at 2.33. Virtually, somewhere in rural England. There’s a hay field off to our right. Team total 640.6 km, 36.7%.
December 29, 2020. IRL 1 km, 2 laps, evening walk.
Virtually, Wroxton. Team total 619.9 km, 35.5%
Interim, Dec 24. Interesting theory for highway intersection, Wendlebury Interchange, A34/A41 & M40. Team total 587 km.
December 23, 2020. 3.4 km, 6 laps. Was concerned that I had been overestimating, so I tracked the laps today. 3 laps was 1.75 km; 6 laps was 3.48. I can continue using 1.7 & 3.4. Also, Milton caught up with Rodney each lap. One step forward, one step back.
In case you weren’t sure how closely Big Brother was watching, the slight blip at the top is where Milton diverted a few steps to get a drink. Creepy? Convenient? Both? The exit is where I took a screenshot but forgot to press stop and tracked myself back to the house.
Virtually, Oxford. Team total 576.3 km, 33%.
December 22, 2020. 5K. 9 laps, 3 each. Milton kept his nose buried in the hay pile for the entire duration of Rodney’s walk. No following, no screaming, no running to catch up. Yay.
Virtually, Iffley Road, Oxford. Finally, something to look at other than highway greenery. Team total 569.4 km, 32.6%.
December 21, 2020. 3.96K, 7 laps, logged as 3.9 km. Rodney 3, Milton 1, by myself 3. Milton did double sessions yesterday. When he stopped after one lap, I allowed him to convince me. Weather is warm & sunny. Footing still squishy & slippy.
Virtually, not happy with all the highway “driving”. One expects that in the US. I thought UK would be more scenic. Map indicates we will be on the A34 for several inches. Options exist. “My route followed as many long-distance paths as was sensible … in the rain a convenient minor road.” Walking Land’s End to John o’Groats with Mark Moxon: Overview of the Route. Even if one is limited to roads, the streetview icon shows ooodles of backroads that have been photographed. Grump. Team total 525.3 km, 30.1%.
December 18, 2020. 5K, 9 laps, 3 for each horse, 3 for me. Spread out through the day as a change from sitting. For the first time, Milton stayed at the hay pile while Rodney walked, during Rodney’s last lap. Progress. Blue skies today!
Virtually, Whitchurch. Team total 503.5 km, 28.8%,
December 17, 2020. 5.8 km. Weekly 5k, sans bling, extra .85 km taking pix. Given the weather lately, the nameless corporate park from my Melbourne virtual walk was the best chance for dry footing and maximum sunshine. Added the small lake for variety. [Another Lakeside Stroll]
Virtually, we passed Red Rosette Equine Transport, because they have their ribbons the wrong way around.
December 16, 2020. 3.4 km, 5 laps. Milton’s walked ended early with UPS delivery. Wanted to be sure truck didn’t get stuck nor hit anything. Squish.
Virtually, Andover. “Dates back to Saxon times. Most of the town’s buildings are from the 18th century when it was an important stop over destination for coaches on their way to London, Southampton and Oxford.” Visit Hampshire: Andover. I’d go see this, Museum of the Iron Age. Team total 487.7 km, 28%.
December 15, 2020. 3.4 km, two horse walks. Watching Cow TV with Milton. Strangely fascinating.
Virtually, more dual carriageway. Team total 479.7 km, 27.5%.
December 14, 2020. 3.4 km, 5 of 6 laps with horse. A gray day.
Virtually, back on the dual carriageway, as I believe it is called in the old country. Team total 469.7, 26.5%.
December 12, 2020. 3 laps in the rain. Should have taken a pic of the mud. Horses hate going in mud. In their defense, our terrain gets slippery at the first drop of moisture.
Virtually, Salisbury. “Set in the magical landscape of Stonehenge and the cathedral city of Salisbury, SARUM is an epic story of five families.” Edward Rutherford: Sarum. I may have to reread. Reverse view is the River Avon.
Team Total 444.9 km, 25.5%.
December 9-10, 2020. 6 km. Yesterday, Lee Springs Park for first Melbourne 5k plus one lap with R (1.7/2= .85km). Today, extra from second Melbourne 5K (.28km). Total, 5+.85+.28 = 6.13 km. Two miles a day, no problem. Two 5Ks in two days and I’m exhausted. That extra mile-point-one does me in. [5K To Nowhere, Another Lakeside Stroll]
Update. Math was wrong. One lap is a third. 5+..56666+.28 = 5.846666. I’ll walk a few extra laps at some point.
Virtually, The Highway. There’s an original name for a road. Team total 437.9 km, 25.1%.
December 8, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Let Milton go after two of his and did the last lap by myself. He’s getting better about staying back and eating hay while Rodney walks, but still follows us on part of each lap. So, he gets lots of exercise, his and Rodney’s.
Virtually, North Gorley. We have turned away from the coast & are heading north. Team total 424.4 km, 24.3%.
December 7, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km.
Virtually, Bournemouth. “Discover Bournemouth…when it is safe to do so.” Bournemouth: Life after lockdown. First place to mention current events. First place big enough to keep an updated web site? Team total 403.6 km, 23.1%.
December 5, 2020. 3.9 km. Extra mileage (kilometerage?) from this week’s bling walk [Savannah Bridge].
Virtually, passed Man O’ War Beach. I, of course, think of the horse rather than the jellyfish. Team total 362.4 km. 20.8%.
December 4, 2020. 4 laps, no horse, 2.2 km (1.7km x 1.33=2.261km). Fitting in a walk at the end of the day, or at least at the end of the light, which is not the same, even if it feel like it is.
Virtually, Durdle Door Holiday Park. Team total 356 km, 20.4%
December 3, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Hard-walking horses need to hydrate.
Virtually, Winfrith Newburgh. Team total 350.3 km, 20.1%.
December 2, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Cold is easier to take on bright, sunny days. (I did not look through the lens when taking this.)
December 1, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Cold snap.
Virtually, Weymouth. We are trundling along the Jurrasic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Imagine your favourite film trilogy. Now imagine that the first film is only ever shown in Scotland, the second only shown in France and the third only shown in Brazil. Annoying right? Now imagine that you stumble across a little cinema on the south coast of England that shows the entire trilogy, all three films back to back with extra scenes and everything. That’s what the Jurassic Coast is like for three geological time Periods called the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous … Those three time periods of Earth history collectively make up the Mesozoic Era, running from around 250 to 65 million years ago.” JCT: What is the Jurassic Coast? Team total 334.5 km, 19.2%.
November 30, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Forgot about an IRL pic again. Virtually, Chickerell. For a tourist area, the towns do not have much in the way of Internet presences. No official town websites. No town tourism websites. Makes it hard to be an armchair tourist. Team total 328.6 km.
November 29, 2020. 3 laps, no horses. 1.7 km. Stomping through the rain in a leaky boot. I’m so tough. No pics. Forgot. Fell out of the habit after just 5 days? Virtually, a lot of farmland for being this close to salt water. Team total 322.7 km.
Out of order. November 05, 2020. Milton & Me mile. Early one, still figuring out a standard distance. 1.64, either tracked or calculated from 3 laps = 1 mile. Counted as 1.6. Logged on 11/29.
November 24, 2020. Rotary Trail & Milton Mile, 3.28+1.7 = 4.98, rounded to 5k. Surely I walked an additional .02 today. Rotary Trail is short, flat except for stairs in & out, paved, scenic, & historic. A+ for use of civic space. Well, actual grade depends on how the space ultimately gets used. No idea about that. Nice design.
Virtually, Clyst St. Mary, A3052. All of the search links are booking &/or travel sites, so I’m thinking major tourist area? Streetview camera heading in opposite direction from us.
***Procedural change*** Before this, single border was color-picked from medal image. Switching to two official colors. UK National Colours same as flag, Wiki. UK uses British Standard Colour rather than hex. Estimates for hex colors vary across the Internet. I went with Color Experts Intl & Wiki b/c they had the prettiest colors and most believable red. Blue, 012169. Red, C8102E. Added red border to previous IRL pics.
November 23, 2020. Two horse walks, 6 laps -> 3.4 km. Day dreaming, forgot about IRL pic. Virtually, more English town names to marvel at. Passed Starcross, Pictures of England, & Cockwood, Visit South Devon. Team Total 234.8 K.
November 21, 2020. Today 3 laps 1.7 km. Virtually, Shaldon. Team total 219.5 km.
November 20, 2020. Milton mile, 1.7 km + extra mileage from this week’s bling walk on Vulcan Trail, 1.15 miles -> 1.85 km = 3.55 km, logged as 3.5 km. [Magic City]
Virtually, Maidencombe. ” … mentioned in the Domesday Book, 1086 … with large boulders occasionally plumeting to the shore below (mainly in winter) …” Torquay – A Local Guide: Maidencombe. Team total 214.4.
November 19, 2020. Today Hand walk both horses, 3.4 km. Ears were not easy to get. One hand to hold horse and keep head point in right direction, one hand to hold camera and focus on ear, nonexistent third hand to make noise to get ears up. Bay ear was even harder, since every time we stopped, he made stallion noises at me.
Virtually, Paignton, on the English Riviera. “Originally a Celtic settlement, Paignton was a fishing village right up until the 19th century when the harbour was built. The arrival of the railway in 1859 brought crowds of visitors and the town quickly became a favourite tourist destination for the Victorians.” Visit South Devon: Paignton. Team total 203.5.
November 18, 2020. Today Milton & Me mile, 1.7 km.
Virtually, still on the A38. I can’t imagine driving, or even being a passenger, on a highway with the cars passing you on the wrong side. Team total 178.5 km.
November 17, 2020. Today Milton & Me mile, 1.7 km. Virtually, Devon Expressway, roads.org.uk: A38. I hope we aren’t on the highway for too long. Had enough of that on Route 66. From the map, we appear to be cutting off chunk of land and will be back on the coast shortly. We will bypass Dartmouth. That would be weird to visit. Team total 167.3 km.
November 16, 2020. Today Milton & Me mile, 1.7 km. Virtually, Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, entering Devonport Park. Having crossed the River Tamar, we have left Cornwall and are now in Devon. Team total 148.2.
November 13, 2020. Today weekly 5k. Richard Wood Park, Thorsby AL. Park has 1/3km walking trail, flat, paved, concrete loop. My knees found it to be a hard surface. Did not count endless laps; I leave that to GPS.
Virtually, East Looe. “It has been a holiday resort for more than 200 years, and has relayed more heavily on the tourist industry since its pilchard canning factory closed in the sixties.” Cornwall Guide: Looe. Team total 125.3 km.
November 12, 2020. Today 3 pasture laps, 1.73 km tracked. Logged as 1.7 since program does not except 100ths of km. Officially declaring 3 laps to equal 1.7 km.
Virtually, ya gotta love English names. Leggyfoot Farm. The town of St Veep, named after a Saint that even the Catholic Church knows little about, “In records the saint appears inconsistently as male or female; the ‘unusual degree of confusion about the saint’s gender suggests that, by the later middle ages, the name was largely that of a place-name rather than a saint with an active cult.'” Catholic Online: Saints & Angels, St. Veep. Team total 115.1.
November 11, 2020, part II. Today, again. 24 minutes, estimate 24/15 = 1.6 km. Walked in am. Tired during day. Ended up walking in afternoon anyway. Thus definitively answering whether it is better for me to walk in the morning or evening. My daily mile is as much about unwinding mentally as it is about exercise.
Virtually, approaching Fowey. Team total 108.3.
November 11, 2020 Today 3 pasture laps, 1.67 km tracked, program would not except 100ths of km, rounded up to 1.7 since that was yesterday’s GPS. Virtually, passed the Eden Project. Team total 106.7 km.
November 10, 2020 Today 3 pasture laps, 1.7 km tracked.
November 9, 2020 Today 3 pasture laps, approx 1.6 km. Virtually, Probus. “It has the tallest church tower in Cornwall.” Wiki: Probus, Cornwall. I like kilometers. They accumulate faster. Team Total 78.5 km.
November 8, 2020 Today 3 pasture laps -> 1 mile -> 1.6 km, approx. Virtually, passed Truro, following the Tresillian River. Truro “is Cornwall’s county town and only city.” Wiki: Truro. Team Total 73.4 km.
November 7, 2020 Today 1.5 km, walking home from aborted bike ride. [GOR 11/7]
November 6, 2020 Today 2 km, Lake Cosby Park. .85 loop, with options, flat, paved/gravel, trees. Points for scenic.
Virtually, Praze an Beeble, home of the St Aubyn family, the folks at St. Michael Mount, 11/5 St Aubyn Arms. Team total 43.1 km.
November 5, 2020 Today first Milton & Me mile, tracked at 1.02, translates to 1.64 km. Virtually, Goldsithney. Turned away from the coast, now heading northeast on B3280/W End. Team total 34 km.
Passed this at 19 miles/30+ km. Time delay video of tide over walkway, St Michael’s Mount. People live there, St Aubyn Family. “The north side of the island is also home to around 30 people” Britain: St Michael’s Mount: 10 facts by Martha Alexander, Cornwall Live: Meet the ordinary family living in a castle on St Michael’s Mount by Tom Gainey, 2017.
November 4, 2020 Today 5k. My weekly 5k. Joe Tucker park. 0.5 mile walking path around lake. Flat – mostly, paved. [Lake Reflections, Joe Tucker Park]
Virtually, program not good about telling the town. Map indicates we are east of Penzance, probably the town of Marazion. “Marazion is one of the oldest chartered towns in the UK. The first charter of incorporation was granted by Henry III in 1257 and was reaffirmed on 13th June 1595 by Queen Elizabeth I.” Marazion.info: History of Marazion. Beach off to the right past the large patch of grass. Team total 28.8 km.
November 3, 2020 Today 3 laps of the pasture, 1.7 km tracked. Virtually Castallack Farm. Looks like a former stables. Team total 14.9 km, 0.9%.
November 2, 2020 Start. Today 3 laps of the pasture = 1 mile = 1.7 km, approx. Virtually, B3315 heading west. Team total 9.7 km. Update on 11/8, not sure what I was mathing. 1 mile is 1.609 kilometers. However three laps can be +/- one mile depending on the route & mood the the GPS. So the mileage right, even if the math is wrong.
“Land’s End is located eight miles west of Penzance at the end of the A30 … It is the most westerly point in mainland Britain … Although the cliffs immediately to the east and west of Land’s End are owned by the National Trust, Land’s End itself is owned by a private company … The tourist complex is one of Cornwall’s most popular destinations.” The Cornwall Guide: Land’s End
Tourist center. Scenic overhead video clips, Land’s End. They will put your town on the signpost, but you have to pay for it, “A local photography company still owns and operates the Signpost today.” Land’s End: The Iconic Signpost
Hiker blog. “It is so touristy that the famous ‘Land’s End signpost’ is owned by a professional photographer who does not allow individuals to take pictures of it with their own camera – you have to pay for that privilege.” The Big Trip: John O’Groats to Land’s End: South West Coast Path, 2011.
~~~
Team invitation post [Ride Away With Me, Virtually] Join us!
Widget announcement post [Come Away With Me, Virtually]
Intro post [Virtual Bling]
Related posts [Will Walk and Bike for Bling]
May 28, 2021. Virutally, John O’Groats. Team Total 1744.2, 100%. [Trip Post, pending]
May 26, 2021. IRL 2.18 km, logged as 2.1 km. Chelsea Rec. Team total 1733.5 km, 99.4%.
May 25, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, urban sprawl – Highland Style. Team total 1728.1 km, 99.1%.
May 24, 2021. IRL 1.31 km, logged as 1.3 km. Columbiana Sports Fields. Virtually, High Council UK. Per official website, “Our commitment is to give equal respect for Gaelic and English on the basis that Gaelic is an essential part of Highland life. While we do not have a fully bilingual website, we will be increasing the Gaelic language content over time. ” Highland Council: Gaelic. “Highland (Scottish Gaelic: A’ Ghàidhealtachd … ) is a council area in the Scottish Highlands and is the largest local government area in the United Kingdom.” Wiki: Highland (council area). Team total 1726.4 km, 99.0%.
May 23, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, hayfield behind us. Team total 1712.3 km, 98.2%.
May 22, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, Wick, per map. Program has us in ‘Scotland, United Kingdom.’ Team total 1708.1 km, 97.9%.
May 21, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, south of Thurmster, per map . “Testifying to an unbroken record of occupation from Mesolithic times to the present day.” Venture North: Thurmster. Scotland’s version of Big Sky Country? Team total 1700.9 km, 97.5%.
May 20, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps solo. Virtually, North Sea coast, between the Burn of East Clyth and the Burn of Warehouse. Team total 1694.4 km, 97.1%.
May 17, 2021. IRL 1 km. 1 lap with Milton, 1 solo. May go back to entering each walk. Near end & land getting more scenic. Team total 1681.3 km, 96.4%.
May 16, 2021. IRL 3.7 km for the weekend.
Saturday, 2 km. 3 laps+, solo. Testing GPS. Left on for chores.
Sunday, 1.7 km. 3 laps, solo.
Virtual Dunbeath. Team total 1675.2 km, 96.0%.
May 14, 2021. IRL 4.01 km for the week.
Monday, 1.79 km. SSF. [Wednesdays]
Friday, 2.22 km. Chelsea Park.
Logged as 4 km.
A week of daily energy sucks, e.g. dentist, interview. GSP worked in pocket at CP when app was on & fronted. Need to investigate what happens when app is backgrounded, in field where I know mileage.
Virtual. Shore of the North Sea. Team total 1632.7 km, 93.6%
May 6, 2021. IRL 7.04 km for the week.
Monday, 1.7 km, 3 laps solo.
Tuesday, 0 km. Rain & thunder. So much rain.
Wednesday, 1.94 km. Chelsea Park.
Thursday, 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton.
Friday, 1.7 km, 3 laps with Milton.
Logged as 7 km.
Virtually, bridge over Dornoch Firth. Reverse screenshot for scenic. Team total 1602.3 km, 91.9%.
April 29, 2021. IRL 4.4. Tues, 1 mile at Limestone, GSP wonky estimated from time (1.7km) + 3 laps of pasture (1.7 km) = 3.4 km. Thursday 2 laps (1 km). Team total 151.9 km, 89.0%.
April 26, 2021. IRL 5.7. Trying to reestablish daily walks. Fri, 2 laps of pasture -> 1 km. Sat, 5 laps of Oak Meadow -> 1.25 miles -> 2 km. Sun, 2 laps of pasture -> 1 km. Mon, 3 laps of pasture -> 1.7 km. Team total 1539.5 km, 88.3%.
April 22, 2021. IRL 3.14 km. Coker Park, GSP wonky, estimate from two of loop advertised as .5 mile -> 1.7 km plus 3 laps with Milton -> 1.7 km. Virtually, Loch Ness. Team total 1517.6, 87.0%. [Many Little Walks]
April 21, 2021. IRL .56 km. 1 lap solo. Logged as 0.5 km . Beautiful, brisk day but am tired from dental assault on system yesterday. Virtually, Loch Ness. Team total 1514.2, 86.8%.
April 19, 2021. IRL 2.33 km. 3 laps with Milton, 1 solo. Logged as 2.3 km. Virtually, Loch Ness. Team total 1506.2, 86.4%.
April 15, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton. Logged on 4/16 (screenshot moved on 4.5 km). Virtually, Cairngorms National Park. Team total 1454.0, 83.4%.
April 13, 2021. IRL 1.74, logged as 1.7. Proof-of-concept walk at Cahaba Riverchase Greenway Trailhead. Virtually, outside of Dalwhinnie Distillery. “Dalwhinnie, Scotland has a population of 80. That’s not a typo. It is home to a small schoolhouse, a pub, an inn, a train station, and the Dalwhinnie Distillery. What else do you need, really? The distillery is famous for being the “highest” distillery in Scotland.” Flaviar: Dalwhinnie. Team total 1441.3 km, 82.6%.
April 8, 2021. IRL 4.11, logged as 4.1 on 4/9 (screenshot 2.5 km off). Limestone Park, 2.41 km, three laps with Milton, 1.7. Team total 1414.6 km, 81.1%.
April 1, 2021. IRL 3.14, logged as 3.1. Chelsea Rec Park. Team total 1344.1 km. 77.1%. [Post]
March 30, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton. Logged on 3/31. Virtually, Bridge of Earn. “It took its name from an ancient bridge.” A Vision of Britain through Time: Bridge of Earn Perthshire. Team total 1339.3 km, 76.8%.
March 29, 2021. IRL 1.8 km. Columbiana. Virtually, Scotland. Team total 1310.9 km, 75.2%.
March 26, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton. Virtually, North Queensferry. Team total 1298.4 km, 74.4%.
March 24, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps with Milton. Virtually, East Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. Reverse view, since we are looking at something other than greenery. Team total 1281.1km, 73.4%.
March 23, 2021. IRL .82+.32 = 1.14, logged as 1.1. Moss Rock Preserve, exploratory walks.
Virtually, in front of Cringletie Estate. “Note: To honor the history of the House and its inhabitants, the current tartan in the hall and staircase is a mixture of the Murray and the Sutherland tartans. Created by McKay of Durham the check is taken from the Murray tartan, the red line made a little softer and the blues and greens are derived from the Sutherland tartan.” Cringletie> About Us > History I thought tartans were an historic thing, not something one would mess with. “Each tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.” Scotland Shop: Variation Finder. Short version, natural vs modern chemical dyes, muted for camo, white elements for fancy dress. Fascinating. Team Total 1247.5 km, 72.15%.
March 18, 2021. IRL 2.08 km, Columbiana sports field track. Combined mileage for 3 walks, 6.22 km. Logged as 6.2 km. Team total 1224.6 km, 70.2%.
March 17, 2021. IRL 3.14 km, Columbiana sports field track. Same place as 2/19, below. Logged with 3/18. [Not Quite Pi Post]
March 12, 2021. IRL 2 laps/1 km. With Milton. Short proof-of-concept walk after an easy week to rest my hip. Logged with 3/18
March 9, 2021. IRL 6 laps/3.4 km. 3 by myself, 3 with Milton. Team total 189.9 km, 68.2%.
March 8, 2021. IRL 3 laps/1.7 km. Team total 1181.2 km, 67.7%.
March 5, 2021. IRL 2 laps, logged as 1 km. Tired. Virtually, slightly different Scottish greenery. There are buildings in the area, including Thorniewhats Farm, a B&B with equestrian facilities. Now that’s a combination I can get behind. Team total 1155.3 km, 66.3%.
March 4, 2021. IRL 5 laps, logged as 2.9 km. Three laps with Milton. Ran out of steam after 2 more. Team total 1155.3 km, 66.3%.
March 3, 2021. IRL 5.2 km. Kymulga Grist Mill. [Post]
Virtually, almost to Scotland. Team Total 1148.5, 65.8%.
March 1, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. Three laps. Team total 1114.6 km, 63.9%.
February 26, 2021. IRL .83 km, logged as .8. Leftover from Ox 8 [Post]. Team total 1102.4 km, 63.2%
February 25, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. Three laps. Team total 1099.1 km, 63.0%
February 24, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. Three intermittent laps, if intermittent is what I mean. Laps interspersed with chores & typing. Team total, 1097.4 km, 62.9%.
February 23, 2021. IRL 3.4 km. Six intermittent laps, 3 of them with Milton. Rodney on booties detail & got day off. Virtually, Armathwaite. I wonder if Google gives me Trip Advisor b/c it assumes I want tourist info. I had go thru Wiki to get to the community site. Team total 1088.3 km, 62.4%
February 22, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. Three laps, one at a time as a reward for chores. Virtually, back in the highway. Streetview from camera headed the other way. Team total 1065.4 km, 61.1%
Interim. This has become a time sink. The blog is the sole time sink I allow myself. Therefore, am dialing back the self-imposed rules on the frequency of photos and screenshots. Armchair tourism fell by the wayside a while ago.
February 19, 2021. IRL 1.77 km, logged as 1.7 km. Three times around a .6 km walking track surrounding a sports field. Test of concept for a later 5K [post]. Wanted to avoid muddy pasture. Hip joint pain appears to be a lateral stability issue. Prefers concrete over sliding in mud. Hurts worse after 3 laps of the pasture yesterday than it did after 5K on concrete Wednesday [Ox 7]. Knees are the part that object to concrete. Packed gravel appears to be the optimal surface for keeping bodily grumbling to a minimum.
Virtually, wandering northward. Team total 1038.1, 59.5%
February 18, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Not cold-cold, still coldish. Gray & damp. Muddy. Another day, another lap.
Virtually, no stone walls in photos. There’s one behind us to the left. Still rich in fields and wide open spaces. Not making me want to drive this, much less bike or walk it. Bucolic only goes so far.
Interim. Endless fields surrounded by endless stone walls hasn’t been much more riveting than endless highway surrounded by endless shrubbery. Maybe 1000 miles of anything gets dull. The interesting bits go by quickly amid many, many miles of middle of nowhere.
February 16, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Cold. [Snow Day]
Virtually, somewhere with lots and lots of rocks for walls. Team total 1000.1 km, 57.3%.
February 11, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Rain. Virtually, Aysgarth, within Yorkshire Dales National Park & home to Aysgarth Falls, “a series of three main waterfalls … Rather than being dramatic drops over a cliff, these waterfalls were really more like cascades that might be friendly for photography enthusiasts.” World of Waterfalls: Aysgarth Falls. Looks like there’s a house for sale. Wonder what it would be like to live there. Very red, or the UK equivalent, I expect. Team total 985.4 km, 56.5%.
February 10, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Virtually, Thorably. Stony country roads, reverse view for scenic, interim shrubbery from previous attempt to load mileage. Team total 983.7 km, 56.4%.
February 9, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps. Rodney in booties, so only did 2 laps for proof of concept. Milton ate hay, no screaming. Warm. We will pay for it meteorologically later in the week, but nice now.
Virutally, somewhere green and sheepey. Team total 973.3 km, 55.8%.
February 8, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Horses shod; no walks.
Virtually, somewhere green, stone walls, scenic hills. Team total 947.7 km, 54.3%.
February 6, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Rain.
Virtually, leaving a rotary. Team total 930.6 km, 53.4%.
February 4, 2021. IRL 1.16km, logged 1.1 km. Leftover mileage from Nashville Zoo virtual. [post pending]
Virtually, Bradford. Team total 910.3, 52.2%.
February 3, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Horses scheduled for other activities today. I do get out in the daylight. Occasionally. (Did not look at sun thru screen. Shot from the hip. Metaphorically.)
Virtually, another entry in Intersections We Have Known. From above, looks like a nerve cell. Over the shoulder, aside from what’s being advertised on the trucks, the road scene looks American. Team total 903.7 km 51.8%.
February 2, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps, 3×3. Milton joined Rodney 2 of three laps. First two were clockwise. Milton sat out the last, counter-clockwise lap. Does direction make a difference? The more he walks, the more he stands around screaming, the less hay he gets, the more hay he leaves for Rodney. Rodney does not leave the hay pile to walk with Milton. Rodney doesn’t walk with Milton in any case, hay pile or no.
Virtually, somewhere north, on a N/S highway outside of the second beltway for Leeds. Team total 902 km, 51.7%.
February 1, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps, 3×3. Milton joined us for one lap. At least he’s pretty when he comes cantering up. Wait, did I walk 2 or 3? Lost count. Did an extra lap to be sure. Cold & windy is so much easier to take when it’s dry. Branches from the top of the hill, for a change.
Virtually, Huddersfield. “The history of human activity on the Castle Hill goes back over 4000 years. The site was developed as an iron age hill fort, surrounded by defensive ditches and ramparts. In the Middle Ages there was a castle on the hill, of which the well remains. The present tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897.” Kirlees: Castle Hill History. Welcome to Yorkshire. Team total 893, 51.2.
Interim, Jan 31. Finally, a place people might actually live. We have Aldi near us.
January 29, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps, 3×3.
Virtually, Sheffield. geograph: Footbridge over the Sheffield Parkway, A57. Team total 834 km, 47.8%.
January 26, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps, 3×3. Milton stood & ate hay for all 3 of Rodney’s laps. Yay. Sunset.
Virtually, Todwick. “Todwick is an ancient village in South Yorkshire in the United Kingdom.” Todwick Village website. View of the roundabout behind us. Team total 820.5 km, 47%.
January 25, 2021. IRL 5 km, 9 laps. First 3 laps, Rodney in booties, Milton joined us for part of the first lap, then watched and screamed for the second two. Milton did 3 laps. I did 3 laps. Rain coming.
Virtually, Worksop. “Gateway to the Dukeries.” Visit Nottinghamshire: Worksop. Team Total 813 km, 46.6%.
January 24, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Mental stroll after bike ride this am. Had phone; busy pondering spelling puzzle. 4 words! Team Total 802.9 km, 46%.
January 21, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps.
Virtually, wilder scenic. Team total 784.2 km, 45%.
January 20, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. A weekend of bike riding and I revert to forgetting IRL walk pics. Virtually, somewhere scenic. Team total 780 km, 44.7%.
January 14, 2021. IRL 1.7 km, 3 laps. Team total 735.2 km, 42.2%.
January 12, 2021. IRL 1.1 km. 2 laps, 1.16 km. Not counting 1.25 km earlier for Ox walk. What can I say, putting the different walks in their different bins is a source of amusement. Cold & damp again. Probably should pull the blankets and check that we still have horses underneath.
Virtually, Syston. Finally a web presence & something current. Covid aide-memoire, “Hands – Face – Space” Syston Town News: Latest Issue. Also today, a dual roundabout. Team total 728.5, 41.8%.
***
Why so little digital tourism?
1) Program doesn’t say where we are; map not helpful.
2) I know where we are. Internet search only turns up info on vacation rentals. Lots of vacation rentals.
3) Sights are super-famous. What could I possibly say about Stonehenge or Shakespeare?
The result is far fewer fascinating factoids than last time. [Virtual Route 66].
***
January 10, 2021. IRl, .5 km. 1 lap, therapeutic walk amid long weekend. Sun struggling to come out in AM. Sunshine for bike ride in PM.
Virtually, continuing our tour of scenic UK interchanges. Team total 669.3 km, 38.4%.
January 8, 2021. IRL 2.9 km. 3 laps with Milton, 2 laps by myself until I ran out of light. No longer raining. Still cold & damp.
Virtually, Budbrooke. Back on the highway. Passed another interesting interchange configuration. Team total 659.8 km, 37.8%
January 7, 2021. IRL 2.4 km. 3 laps for me, 1+ laps for Milton until rain started. Rodney had foot in bucket for the second day. Cold & rainy.
Virtually, Warwick Road. Team total 654.4, 37.5%.
January 6, 2021. IRL 1.7 km. 3 laps.
Virtually, Stratford-upon-Avon. Passed Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Team total 650.6 km. 37.3%.
January 5, 2021. IRL 2.3 km. 4 laps tracked at 2.33. Virtually, somewhere in rural England. There’s a hay field off to our right. Team total 640.6 km, 36.7%.
December 29, 2020. IRL 1 km, 2 laps, evening walk.
Virtually, Wroxton. Team total 619.9 km, 35.5%
Interim, Dec 24. Interesting theory for highway intersection, Wendlebury Interchange, A34/A41 & M40. Team total 587 km.
December 23, 2020. 3.4 km, 6 laps. Was concerned that I had been overestimating, so I tracked the laps today. 3 laps was 1.75 km; 6 laps was 3.48. I can continue using 1.7 & 3.4. Also, Milton caught up with Rodney each lap. One step forward, one step back.
In case you weren’t sure how closely Big Brother was watching, the slight blip at the top is where Milton diverted a few steps to get a drink. Creepy? Convenient? Both? The exit is where I took a screenshot but forgot to press stop and tracked myself back to the house.
Virtually, Oxford. Team total 576.3 km, 33%.
December 22, 2020. 5K. 9 laps, 3 each. Milton kept his nose buried in the hay pile for the entire duration of Rodney’s walk. No following, no screaming, no running to catch up. Yay.
Virtually, Iffley Road, Oxford. Finally, something to look at other than highway greenery. Team total 569.4 km, 32.6%.
December 21, 2020. 3.96K, 7 laps, logged as 3.9 km. Rodney 3, Milton 1, by myself 3. Milton did double sessions yesterday. When he stopped after one lap, I allowed him to convince me. Weather is warm & sunny. Footing still squishy & slippy.
Virtually, not happy with all the highway “driving”. One expects that in the US. I thought UK would be more scenic. Map indicates we will be on the A34 for several inches. Options exist. “My route followed as many long-distance paths as was sensible … in the rain a convenient minor road.” Walking Land’s End to John o’Groats with Mark Moxon: Overview of the Route. Even if one is limited to roads, the streetview icon shows ooodles of backroads that have been photographed. Grump. Team total 525.3 km, 30.1%.
December 18, 2020. 5K, 9 laps, 3 for each horse, 3 for me. Spread out through the day as a change from sitting. For the first time, Milton stayed at the hay pile while Rodney walked, during Rodney’s last lap. Progress. Blue skies today!
Virtually, Whitchurch. Team total 503.5 km, 28.8%,
December 17, 2020. 5.8 km. Weekly 5k, sans bling, extra .85 km taking pix. Given the weather lately, the nameless corporate park from my Melbourne virtual walk was the best chance for dry footing and maximum sunshine. Added the small lake for variety. [Another Lakeside Stroll]
Virtually, we passed Red Rosette Equine Transport, because they have their ribbons the wrong way around.
December 16, 2020. 3.4 km, 5 laps. Milton’s walked ended early with UPS delivery. Wanted to be sure truck didn’t get stuck nor hit anything. Squish.
Virtually, Andover. “Dates back to Saxon times. Most of the town’s buildings are from the 18th century when it was an important stop over destination for coaches on their way to London, Southampton and Oxford.” Visit Hampshire: Andover. I’d go see this, Museum of the Iron Age. Team total 487.7 km, 28%.
December 15, 2020. 3.4 km, two horse walks. Watching Cow TV with Milton. Strangely fascinating.
Virtually, more dual carriageway. Team total 479.7 km, 27.5%.
December 14, 2020. 3.4 km, 5 of 6 laps with horse. A gray day.
Virtually, back on the dual carriageway, as I believe it is called in the old country. Team total 469.7, 26.5%.
December 12, 2020. 3 laps in the rain. Should have taken a pic of the mud. Horses hate going in mud. In their defense, our terrain gets slippery at the first drop of moisture.
Virtually, Salisbury. “Set in the magical landscape of Stonehenge and the cathedral city of Salisbury, SARUM is an epic story of five families.” Edward Rutherford: Sarum. I may have to reread. Reverse view is the River Avon.
Team Total 444.9 km, 25.5%.
December 9-10, 2020. 6 km. Yesterday, Lee Springs Park for first Melbourne 5k plus one lap with R (1.7/2= .85km). Today, extra from second Melbourne 5K (.28km). Total, 5+.85+.28 = 6.13 km. Two miles a day, no problem. Two 5Ks in two days and I’m exhausted. That extra mile-point-one does me in. [5K To Nowhere, Another Lakeside Stroll]
Update. Math was wrong. One lap is a third. 5+..56666+.28 = 5.846666. I’ll walk a few extra laps at some point.
Virtually, The Highway. There’s an original name for a road. Team total 437.9 km, 25.1%.
December 8, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Let Milton go after two of his and did the last lap by myself. He’s getting better about staying back and eating hay while Rodney walks, but still follows us on part of each lap. So, he gets lots of exercise, his and Rodney’s.
Virtually, North Gorley. We have turned away from the coast & are heading north. Team total 424.4 km, 24.3%.
December 7, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km.
Virtually, Bournemouth. “Discover Bournemouth…when it is safe to do so.” Bournemouth: Life after lockdown. First place to mention current events. First place big enough to keep an updated web site? Team total 403.6 km, 23.1%.
December 5, 2020. 3.9 km. Extra mileage (kilometerage?) from this week’s bling walk [Savannah Bridge].
Virtually, passed Man O’ War Beach. I, of course, think of the horse rather than the jellyfish. Team total 362.4 km. 20.8%.
December 4, 2020. 4 laps, no horse, 2.2 km (1.7km x 1.33=2.261km). Fitting in a walk at the end of the day, or at least at the end of the light, which is not the same, even if it feel like it is.
Virtually, Durdle Door Holiday Park. Team total 356 km, 20.4%
December 3, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Hard-walking horses need to hydrate.
Virtually, Winfrith Newburgh. Team total 350.3 km, 20.1%.
December 2, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Cold is easier to take on bright, sunny days. (I did not look through the lens when taking this.)
December 1, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Cold snap.
Virtually, Weymouth. We are trundling along the Jurrasic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Imagine your favourite film trilogy. Now imagine that the first film is only ever shown in Scotland, the second only shown in France and the third only shown in Brazil. Annoying right? Now imagine that you stumble across a little cinema on the south coast of England that shows the entire trilogy, all three films back to back with extra scenes and everything. That’s what the Jurassic Coast is like for three geological time Periods called the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous … Those three time periods of Earth history collectively make up the Mesozoic Era, running from around 250 to 65 million years ago.” JCT: What is the Jurassic Coast? Team total 334.5 km, 19.2%.
November 30, 2020. Two horse walks, 3.4 km. Forgot about an IRL pic again. Virtually, Chickerell. For a tourist area, the towns do not have much in the way of Internet presences. No official town websites. No town tourism websites. Makes it hard to be an armchair tourist. Team total 328.6 km.
November 29, 2020. 3 laps, no horses. 1.7 km. Stomping through the rain in a leaky boot. I’m so tough. No pics. Forgot. Fell out of the habit after just 5 days? Virtually, a lot of farmland for being this close to salt water. Team total 322.7 km.
Out of order. November 05, 2020. Milton & Me mile. Early one, still figuring out a standard distance. 1.64, either tracked or calculated from 3 laps = 1 mile. Counted as 1.6. Logged on 11/29.
November 24, 2020. Rotary Trail & Milton Mile, 3.28+1.7 = 4.98, rounded to 5k. Surely I walked an additional .02 today. Rotary Trail is short, flat except for stairs in & out, paved, scenic, & historic. A+ for use of civic space. Well, actual grade depends on how the space ultimately gets used. No idea about that. Nice design.
Virtually, Clyst St. Mary, A3052. All of the search links are booking &/or travel sites, so I’m thinking major tourist area? Streetview camera heading in opposite direction from us.
***Procedural change*** Before this, single border was color-picked from medal image. Switching to two official colors. UK National Colours same as flag, Wiki. UK uses British Standard Colour rather than hex. Estimates for hex colors vary across the Internet. I went with Color Experts Intl & Wiki b/c they had the prettiest colors and most believable red. Blue, 012169. Red, C8102E. Added red border to previous IRL pics.
November 23, 2020. Two horse walks, 6 laps -> 3.4 km. Day dreaming, forgot about IRL pic. Virtually, more English town names to marvel at. Passed Starcross, Pictures of England, & Cockwood, Visit South Devon. Team Total 234.8 K.
November 21, 2020. Today 3 laps 1.7 km. Virtually, Shaldon. Team total 219.5 km.
November 20, 2020. Milton mile, 1.7 km + extra mileage from this week’s bling walk on Vulcan Trail, 1.15 miles -> 1.85 km = 3.55 km, logged as 3.5 km. [Magic City]
Virtually, Maidencombe. ” … mentioned in the Domesday Book, 1086 … with large boulders occasionally plumeting to the shore below (mainly in winter) …” Torquay – A Local Guide: Maidencombe. Team total 214.4.
November 19, 2020. Today Hand walk both horses, 3.4 km. Ears were not easy to get. One hand to hold horse and keep head point in right direction, one hand to hold camera and focus on ear, nonexistent third hand to make noise to get ears up. Bay ear was even harder, since every time we stopped, he made stallion noises at me.
Virtually, Paignton, on the English Riviera. “Originally a Celtic settlement, Paignton was a fishing village right up until the 19th century when the harbour was built. The arrival of the railway in 1859 brought crowds of visitors and the town quickly became a favourite tourist destination for the Victorians.” Visit South Devon: Paignton. Team total 203.5.
November 18, 2020. Today Milton & Me mile, 1.7 km.
Virtually, still on the A38. I can’t imagine driving, or even being a passenger, on a highway with the cars passing you on the wrong side. Team total 178.5 km.
November 17, 2020. Today Milton & Me mile, 1.7 km. Virtually, Devon Expressway, roads.org.uk: A38. I hope we aren’t on the highway for too long. Had enough of that on Route 66. From the map, we appear to be cutting off chunk of land and will be back on the coast shortly. We will bypass Dartmouth. That would be weird to visit. Team total 167.3 km.
November 16, 2020. Today Milton & Me mile, 1.7 km. Virtually, Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, entering Devonport Park. Having crossed the River Tamar, we have left Cornwall and are now in Devon. Team total 148.2.
November 13, 2020. Today weekly 5k. Richard Wood Park, Thorsby AL. Park has 1/3km walking trail, flat, paved, concrete loop. My knees found it to be a hard surface. Did not count endless laps; I leave that to GPS.
Virtually, East Looe. “It has been a holiday resort for more than 200 years, and has relayed more heavily on the tourist industry since its pilchard canning factory closed in the sixties.” Cornwall Guide: Looe. Team total 125.3 km.
November 12, 2020. Today 3 pasture laps, 1.73 km tracked. Logged as 1.7 since program does not except 100ths of km. Officially declaring 3 laps to equal 1.7 km.
Virtually, ya gotta love English names. Leggyfoot Farm. The town of St Veep, named after a Saint that even the Catholic Church knows little about, “In records the saint appears inconsistently as male or female; the ‘unusual degree of confusion about the saint’s gender suggests that, by the later middle ages, the name was largely that of a place-name rather than a saint with an active cult.'” Catholic Online: Saints & Angels, St. Veep. Team total 115.1.
November 11, 2020, part II. Today, again. 24 minutes, estimate 24/15 = 1.6 km. Walked in am. Tired during day. Ended up walking in afternoon anyway. Thus definitively answering whether it is better for me to walk in the morning or evening. My daily mile is as much about unwinding mentally as it is about exercise.
Virtually, approaching Fowey. Team total 108.3.
November 11, 2020 Today 3 pasture laps, 1.67 km tracked, program would not except 100ths of km, rounded up to 1.7 since that was yesterday’s GPS. Virtually, passed the Eden Project. Team total 106.7 km.
November 10, 2020 Today 3 pasture laps, 1.7 km tracked.
November 9, 2020 Today 3 pasture laps, approx 1.6 km. Virtually, Probus. “It has the tallest church tower in Cornwall.” Wiki: Probus, Cornwall. I like kilometers. They accumulate faster. Team Total 78.5 km.
November 8, 2020 Today 3 pasture laps -> 1 mile -> 1.6 km, approx. Virtually, passed Truro, following the Tresillian River. Truro “is Cornwall’s county town and only city.” Wiki: Truro. Team Total 73.4 km.
November 7, 2020 Today 1.5 km, walking home from aborted bike ride. [GOR 11/7]
November 6, 2020 Today 2 km, Lake Cosby Park. .85 loop, with options, flat, paved/gravel, trees. Points for scenic.
Virtually, Praze an Beeble, home of the St Aubyn family, the folks at St. Michael Mount, 11/5 St Aubyn Arms. Team total 43.1 km.
November 5, 2020 Today first Milton & Me mile, tracked at 1.02, translates to 1.64 km. Virtually, Goldsithney. Turned away from the coast, now heading northeast on B3280/W End. Team total 34 km.
Passed this at 19 miles/30+ km. Time delay video of tide over walkway, St Michael’s Mount. People live there, St Aubyn Family. “The north side of the island is also home to around 30 people” Britain: St Michael’s Mount: 10 facts by Martha Alexander, Cornwall Live: Meet the ordinary family living in a castle on St Michael’s Mount by Tom Gainey, 2017.
November 4, 2020 Today 5k. My weekly 5k. Joe Tucker park. 0.5 mile walking path around lake. Flat – mostly, paved. [Lake Reflections, Joe Tucker Park]
Virtually, program not good about telling the town. Map indicates we are east of Penzance, probably the town of Marazion. “Marazion is one of the oldest chartered towns in the UK. The first charter of incorporation was granted by Henry III in 1257 and was reaffirmed on 13th June 1595 by Queen Elizabeth I.” Marazion.info: History of Marazion. Beach off to the right past the large patch of grass. Team total 28.8 km.
November 3, 2020 Today 3 laps of the pasture, 1.7 km tracked. Virtually Castallack Farm. Looks like a former stables. Team total 14.9 km, 0.9%.
November 2, 2020 Start. Today 3 laps of the pasture = 1 mile = 1.7 km, approx. Virtually, B3315 heading west. Team total 9.7 km. Update on 11/8, not sure what I was mathing. 1 mile is 1.609 kilometers. However three laps can be +/- one mile depending on the route & mood the the GPS. So the mileage right, even if the math is wrong.
“Land’s End is located eight miles west of Penzance at the end of the A30 … It is the most westerly point in mainland Britain … Although the cliffs immediately to the east and west of Land’s End are owned by the National Trust, Land’s End itself is owned by a private company … The tourist complex is one of Cornwall’s most popular destinations.” The Cornwall Guide: Land’s End
Tourist center. Scenic overhead video clips, Land’s End. They will put your town on the signpost, but you have to pay for it, “A local photography company still owns and operates the Signpost today.” Land’s End: The Iconic Signpost
Hiker blog. “It is so touristy that the famous ‘Land’s End signpost’ is owned by a professional photographer who does not allow individuals to take pictures of it with their own camera – you have to pay for that privilege.” The Big Trip: John O’Groats to Land’s End: South West Coast Path, 2011.
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